WILMINGTON — Grace Walker Sanders, 80, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018, surrounded by her family in Wilmington, N.C.
She was the daughter of Henry Ajax Walker and Grace Wooten Walker (both deceased) of Kinston, N.C.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Gordon Sanders; and brother, Henry Ajax Walker III.
She is survived by three children, Alice Hewitt Sanders, and her husband, David, of Wilson, N.C., Henry Walker Sanders, and his wife, Dabney, of Greensboro, N.C., and Bradford Hodge Sanders of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and sisters, Nancy Walker Marchal of Williamsport, Pa., and Ida Thames Walker Cranz of Henderson, N.C.
She was born Nov. 27, 1937, in Kinston, N.C., attended and graduated from Grainger High School, and later, Salem College with a degree in English. She was married Sept. 16, 1961, to Gordon until his death in 2008. She spent much of her married life in Charlotte, N.C., moving to Wilmington in 1991, where she was a member of the Oleander Garden Club and the Surf Club.
Grace was an active member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C., and First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, N.C., where she was honored to serve as an elder, deacon, and Church Circle leader. She served as a Stephen Ministry leader soon after its inception at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and would never turn down good chocolate. Grace was a devoted wife and mother, loyal friend, and good Christian woman whose children and friends consumed her life.
The family wishes to thank Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their care of Grace in the last days of her life.
The family would also like to thank Elsie Faison Shields and her business, Always Good Company, with a special appreciation for Grace’s “Pearls,” April, Audra, Diana, Donna, Katherine, Kim, Lisa, Taylor and Elsie.
Services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 29, at First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington.
Share online condolences with the family at wilmingtoncares.com.
